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Chapters: 2003 Bam Earthquake, 2003 European Heat Wave, North American Blizzard of 2003, Memphis Summer Storm of 2003, 2003 Santa Fe Flood, 2003 Melbourne Thunderstorm. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 42. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: 2003 Bam earthquake -Bam in September 2003, three months before the earthquake. (This is not the city, but an ancient site near Bam.)Before the earthquake, Bam had a population of roughly 97,000. It is one of the most popular tourism areas of Iran, one of its most popular attractions being its 2000-year-old mud-brick Bam Citadel. During the Safavid dynasty (15011736) Bam was a large trading hub due to its location on the Silk Road. It gradually declined in significance after the Afghans invaded in 1722, serving as an army camp until its abandonment in 1932. The city became a tourist attraction in 1953, when restoration of Bam's Old Quarter began. There is little earthquake education in Iran although the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology established a Public Education Department in 1990 to improve "the safety, preventing, and preparedness culture against the earthquake among all groups of the society." In October 2003, Bahram Akasheh, professor of geophysics at Tehran University, called the effects of public ignorance about earthquakes "poisonous". Iran suffers from frequent earthquakes, with minor ruptures occurring almost daily. This earthquake occurred as a result of stresses generated by the motion of the Arabian plate northward against the Eurasian plate at a rate of approximately 3 centimetres (1 in) per year. Deformation of the Earth's crust in response to the plate motion takes place in a broad zone that spans the entire width of Iran and extends into Turkmenistan. Earthquakes occur as the result of both r...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=17422933 ... Read more

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This book was published in 1907.

The Meadow Lea disaster is an event which
might be regarded as one that had passed into
history without having been accorded the treat-
ment which this intense tale of suffering, sor-
row, and heroism deserved at the hand of the
historian.

The early settlers of Manitoba well remem-
ber the awful blizzard in March, 1882. With
a fair amount of correctness some of them can
tell you the main facts of the sad havoc which
the two opposites, fire and frost, in their turn,
made upon that memorable night, when John
Taylor and his family, of Meadow Lea, Manitoba,
were burned out of house and home, and, as a
consequence of exposure to the fierce blizzard
and bitter cold, the mother and three daughters
were frozen to death.

The sad announcement went to the world in
due time; many hearts doubtless were moved
to tears upon reading the press dispatches
which summarized in brief form that awful
night on the prairie as one without a parallel in
the history of the country, in view of the hard-
ships, heroism, sorrow and sore bereavement
attending it.

Further than this, the printing press has done
little to keep the various features of the story
intact. The story has been told and retold,
and, as might be expected, much has been im-
ported, or given a wrong setting, or left out
altogether, so that in general it may be said to
be no longer correctly told. A detailed and
authentic account of the experiences of that
night has never, up to the present, found its
way into the publisher's hands.

Is it because the integral parts are too
pathetic for pen, or too sacred for literature,
that the pen of the writer has been unemployed
so long ? We are told how that God concealed
the grave of His servant Moses, undoubtedly to
guard against the monuments of men and the
adorations of the multitudes, and we feel in-
clined to ask, has He exercised His hand in the
same way to seal with silence a sorrow that
may well be considered too deep for words to
express ?

This question may be taken more seriously
in view of the unfortunate ending to an attempt
made some years ago by Mrs. Ivey (nee
Martha Reid), the only living survivor, to meet
the demands for an authentic and full account
of the sad affair.

It appears that some parties interested in a
book which Mr. Ira D. Sankey was compiling
at the time, possibly "The Story of the
Hymns," had written to Mrs. Ivey for an
account of her experience. In response to the
request she wrote out the story in detail with
her fingerless hands; but delayed sending the
MS. away. A fire broke out in the combined
store and dwelling in which Mr. and Mrs. Ivey
lived, while Mrs. Ivey was away visiting
friends, and her painstaking work, together
with nearly everything they possessed, went up
in smoke.

It will thus be observed that the attempt to
preserve and publish a full and authentic
account of the tragic event was quite as ill-fated
as the most of those about whom the author
was writing.

It is a great pity that Mrs. Ivey's unfortunate
literary work could not be replaced; but con-
sidering the difficulties under which she has to
labor, it is too much to ask of her a second
attempt along this line. It is more than pro-
bable, however, that her memory has retained
all of interest in connection with the fire at
Meadow Lea, and thus preserved to many read-
ers, in spite of all subsequent fire, smoke or
adverse winds, one of the most impressive, in-
tensely spiritual and touching stories belong-
ing to the realm of real life that has ever been
told.

Mrs. Ivey, as has been stated, is the only liv-
ing survivor of the disaster. John Taylor, the
bereft husband and father, having died about
two years after his sore trial and sad exper-
ience took place.
... Read more

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Presents a history, based on personal accounts and newspaper articles, of the massive snow storm that hit the Northeast in 1888, focusing on the events in New York City. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

White Death Circa 1888!
Having seen references to the 'Great Blizzard of 1888,' I was intrigued enough to pick up Jim Murphy's 2000 hardcover on the subject. Although it's rated for younger readers, I found it was a comprehensive, entertaining summary of a long-ago 'perfect storm.'

Murphy details the development of the 1888 blizzard via a combination of two storms and the awe-inspiring impact it had on America - basically it shut down the East Coast! Cities and towns were buried under four feet of snow. Visibility was often zero; temps were below zero and made worse by the 40-60 mph winds. Trains were stuck in drifts; telegraph wires were down; etc. At least 400 people died.

Murphy follows different men, women and children in various East Coast locations and how they coped with the storm, which looped back and struck the East Coast a second time after its initial run-through! Some survived; some died; one lost his hands and feet to frostbite. Additionally, Murphy uses vintage photographs and his own evocative drawings to capture the storm's impact.

As fascinating as the story of the storm was, its impact, as documented by Murphy, was just as interesting. So many changes in weather reporting, laws, regulations, etc. resulted from this wake up call from Mother Nature, it's truly amazing.

So, whatever your age, I think you'll enjoy and learn from BLIZZARD! I know I did. Recommended.

Just for Kids
I felt the story was pretty mundane and written for the 10 to 14 yr old audience. The pictures were mostly all drawings. The story was rather repetitious memories of people who actually lived and recorded their memories of the storm......but how much can you say about a snow storm that isn't repeated over and over again. Young people might find the book interesting, but I thought it was pretty dry. My 15 year old thought it was just OK.

Blizzard! A Great Read!
Jim Murphy has written a fascinating and captivating account of the storm that hit the northern east coast of the United States in March, 1888. At the end of one of the mildest winters in the East, two storms coming from different directions combined to create an unexpected storm, with high winds and freezing snow that devastated the northeast. The story focuses mostly on the effects of the storm in New York City, where all public transportation came to a standstill, and the storm virtually shut down the city. The snow was so deep and the winds so strong that the trains were actually buried in the snow, trapping the passengers inside. Most businesses were closed down because people could not get to their jobs. Those who did venture outside risked their lives in the freezing temperatures. The storm lasted for two days, and an estimated 800 people died in New York City alone.

This is a well-written, and interesting book. Authentic photographs are included, which enchance the narrative. Jim Murphy is an outstanding writer of Young Adult nonfiction. The events of the "great blizzard" come to life in this book.

The Great Blizzard
Do you think non-fiction books can't be good? Well your wrong. Blizzard is a really good non-fiction book. It is about the blizzard of 1888. The storm caught most people by surprise because it was unusually warm on March 10, 1888. There was a storm system coming from the North and one coming from the South. The one in the North went along the Canadian border then started to swooped down. The one coming from the South went along the Gulf of Mexico,and then went South some then started to go North. People were in panic. They lost alot of people March 11, 1888. For example, people looking for the subway would get lost and not be able to be found. If they were found they had already died of freezing, being burried, or starving. Two little boys heading out to find their grandmas house got lost then were found not long after burried but still alive. And another example is two tugboats crashed into each other. Most of the people in that accident lived but some died. This is a good book for all age levels.

An insightful, lively account of another "perfect" storm.
Acclaimed historian Murphy shows how a devastating 1888 blizzard not only shut down our northeastern states for days, but radically altered the way Americans live; its repercussions are being felt even today. He illustrates how political corruption, ineptitude, and contemporary social attitudes exacerbated the storm's fallout. Using carefully chosen excerpts from survivors' personal accounts, he also gives us a vivid feel for what life was like then for immigrants, women moving into the workplace, and others who had to struggle to survive everyday. He employs an interesting mix of graphics to further illustrate his story. Junior high school students who believe history is boring may think differently after reading this; it should also appeal to readers interested in natural disasters, and in social histories. Here's another winner from the author whose "The Great Fire" brought Chicago's infamous conflagration so brilliantly to life. ... Read more

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Tells the gripping story of the devastating 1888 blizzard that suddenly exploded across the Great Plains, killing hundreds of children as they walked home from school. Written in graphic-novel format. ... Read more

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What causes thunderstorms and lightning? Where and why do hurricanes form? How are blizzards more dangerous than other snowstorms? To answer these questions, you'll need to know about nature's most powerful weather events. Storms of all types and sizes occur around the globe. Each storm needs just the right combination of weather conditions to form and become dangerous--or even destructive. In this fact-packed book, discover how storms form, where they strike, and what makes them so powerful. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

This book will excite the young student who is fascinated by weather phenomenon and wants to know more about it!
Around the world people experience many different kinds of weather.Some of the weather people experience can be extreme while other weather events such as mild rainstorms can be useful and life giving.With advances in technology scientists are better prepared to predict severe weather than they ever have been.For example, people who live in areas where hurricanes occur are able to evacuate early because advances in technology let meteorologists predict these storms several days in advance of landfall. One thing you may not realize is that "a storm's energy comes from the sun's heat."In order to understand how storms develop we need to look at the "four Cs: convection, condensation, convergence, and the Coriolis effect."

After you read about the four Cs, you will get a crash course in many facets of natural phenomenon that create weather you see or hear about.Examples of such phenomenon include air pressure, air masses, fronts (warm, cold, occluded, and stationary), zones, the thermal, currents, and you'll learn several other interesting facts that will help you understand how weather works. Once you have a basic understanding of these concepts, you'll be able to take a closer look at lightning, hurricanes, and blizzards.This book also gives you a glimpse at ice storms, dust storms, sand storms, dust devils, and water spouts.Did you know that there was a massive sandstorm in 2001 that "covered an area larger than the state of California?"You'll just have to read the book to find out where it was.

Thunderstorms are storms that many young people have experienced, but may know little about.A careful look at exactly how these storms form and many interesting facts about them make for a very fascinating read.After learning about how these storms are produced you'll learn about lightning.For example, one very interesting fact is that "Lighting bolts seem to strike in an instant.But they actually move in steps."They give off "tremendous heat" and the air in a lightning channel can reach an unfathomable 54,000 degrees Fahrenheit.This entire process is spelled right out in language you can understand.Similarly, you will learn fascinating facts about tornados, hurricanes and blizzards.

This book will excite the young student who is fascinated by weather phenomenon and wants to know more about it.The writing was very clear, concise, and easy for the average student to understand without dumbing down any of the concepts.What I especially liked were the diagrams that accompanied the discussion of certain topics.For example, when lightning bolts were discussed, a three-stage diagram showed the process of a stepped leader and illustrates how a flash of lighting is created.The material is presented in such a way that it is almost exciting to read about and learn how storms are formed.There are numerous informative sidebars scattered throughout the book that add a lot to the text.The student can read detailed information about such things as the Fujita Scale, the Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale, and the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.In the back of the book is an index, a glossary, a selected bibliography, and additional recommended book and website resources to explore. ... Read more

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This book explains what happens when a blizzard strikes. Find out why blizzards happen and how to survive if you find yourself trapped by a blizzard. There are loads of photos and facts to help you fully understand the topic and find answers quickly.

... Read more

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Chapters: Delaware Hurricanes, List of Delaware Hurricanes, First North American Blizzard of 2010, Hurricane Floyd, Tropical Storm Barry, New England Hurricane of 1938, Tropical Storm Doria, North American Blizzard of 2009, Tropical Storm Henri, Late November 2006 Nor'easter, Hurricane Esther, Effects of Hurricane Isabel in Delaware, 1821 Norfolk and Long Island Hurricane, Great Appalachian Storm of November 1950, 1903 New Jersey Hurricane, 1933 Chesapeake-potomac Hurricane, Great Havana Hurricane of 1846, Hurricane Diane, Hurricane Connie, Gale of 1878, 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 156. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: ... ... Read more

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The Great Lakes Storm of 1913, historically referred to as the "Big Blow", the "Freshwater Fury" or the "White Hurricane", was a blizzard with hurricane-force winds that devastated the Great Lakes Basin in the Midwestern United States and the Canadian province of Ontario from November 7 through November 10, 1913. The storm was most powerful on November 9, battering and overturning ships on four of the five Great Lakes, particularly Lake Huron. Deceptive lulls in the storm and the slow pace of weather reports contributed to the storm's destructiveness. The deadliest and most destructive natural disaster ever to hit the lakes, the Great Lakes Storm killed more than 250 people, destroyed 19 ships, and stranded 19 others. The financial loss in vessels alone was nearly US $5 million, or about $100 million at current value. This included about $1 million at current value in lost cargo totalling about 68,300 tons, such as coal, iron ore, and grain ... Read more

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When Mother Nature pins you down and doesn't lift her jack boot for most of the year...what becomes of your emergency drill then?  Dakotans went into blizzard mode in October of 1996--not to emerge from their deep freeze for seven long months. Beloved cowboy poet & author, Baxter Black DVM, had this to say about HUMBLED: "...heart-stopping!  You captured it, Carol.  These stories take me straight back to that winter and how brutal it really was.  Such an incomparable chapter in our nation's history.  Thank you for writing it."
The Devastator of 1997 (so coined by the author, who lived through that winter herself) profoundly humbled part of a noble and resilient culture--folks who still try to eke out their living on the land.  It's a hard memory that prompts a nervous laugh when you first bring it up.  Yet it still brings a tear to the steeliest eye...
From humorous to heartbreaking, this is an unforgettable read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Comprehensive Story of Dakoton's Plight during Winter of 1996-97
This is a well-written story of what the farmers and ranchers of North and South Dakota went through in their devastating loss of half a million cattle during the unbelievable winter blizzards that started in October of '96 and did not let up until May of '97. Being a Montanan native and having experienced snowstorms all my life (indeed, we just had a snowstorm two days ago and it's June), I related to this and could not imagine how the people survived and kept going. Carol includes many stories from many of the ranchers and the laborers (snowplowers, etc.) of how they felt and what they thought. This is a hardscrabble tale of tenacity that keeps people going despite watching the heartbreak of their cattle dying every day. Not only is it an economic loss, but it is an emotional loss, for the ranchers feel they have shirked their duties in caring for their livestock. Page after page, Carol describes with great detail what happened. Certainly, all who live in the northern states should read it but those outside should read it out of interest in the farming and ranching roles of life that sustain us all and put meat on our table. The Dakotans were heroic and Carol's writing of their anquished ordeal was superb. ... Read more